b'EVENT ESSENTIALSWhats changed in the new abnormalby Matthew BradfordI planners to clarify timelines and pricesand thats no different today. What Its never a bad time to brush up on the fundamentals. And as meetingwith their suppliers and build theirhas changed, however, is the need and event organizers shift back toplans from there. to ensure that in-house or third-party in-person plans, theres value incatering services mix well with your re-examining what it takes to pull off aADEQUATELY COVERED requirements and budget. successful event. Insurance tops the list for todaysIts a bit crazy what the average The first thing to consider isevent essentials. Even still, itsperson spends on food today, and that planning an event isnt entirelynot uncommon for planners tothat translates to events as well, says business as usual. As organizers dustunderestimate their coverage needs.Strauss. In as little as three years, off their physical event playbooks,Acquiring the appropriate levelweve seen costs go up by as much many are likely to find that theof insurance for events is becomingas 30 per cent, which shows that you logistics and costs around hostingextremely difficult and, in some cases,need to be realistic about your food groups have changed. Health andfrustrating to do, warns Strauss. Forand beverage plans.safety considerations have risen ininstance, we recently had a challengeIts not only prices that have priority, while supply chain delays andconfirming the appropriate level ofchanged. With kitchen labour in high labour shortages have made it moreinsurance for an event for 75 people,demand, Strauss says the ability to difficult and costly to secure traditionalwhere we were being asked oddfeed large crowds cant be taken for event assets. questions like, Are you going to havegranted: One of the things were The first and most essential thingany live animals? and this was for aasking venues is, What can you you need is a realistic plan, saysleadership event.realistically serve? Do you have the Jonathan Strauss, President of StraussTo that end, Strauss advisesstaffing to deliver on what were event and association management.planners to review their insurance withasking for, or should we look at doing A lot of events are happening forbrokers weeks in advance to spot andour lunch or dinner differently based the first time in two or three years, soaddress any gaps that might requireon your current staffing levels?making assumptions based on whatsecondary insurance based on their delivery times or costs were threevenue and proposed activities. NAMES IN LIGHTS years ago just wont work anymore. Event branding is critical, albeit Certainly, he adds, whether it isHAVE YOU BEEN SERVED? challenging. This is especially true signage, delegate bags or specialFood and beverage have always beenin the age of social media, when equipment, Its important forcritical elements in event planning,organizers are compelled to go 8 CORPORATE MEETINGS & EVENTS corporatemeetingsnetwork.ca'